TOPIC

Oncology research

Everything we have read on oncology. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

332 PAPERS · PAGE 5 OF 7 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineCochrane reviews show cognitive training, exercise, and memory rehabilitation can help thinking and mood in stroke, cancer, and dementia. Evidence quality is low to very low. These findings apply to other conditions, not directly to post-COVID-19.
• PTOTSLPPilot2022Identifying Clinically Important Functional Impairments and Rehabilitation Needs in Cancer Survivors and a Pilot Validation of the Cancer Rehabilitation Questionnaire.Journal of rehabilitation medicineMost cancer survivors reported functional impairments, with pain, weakness, and daily activity difficulty being most common. A simple yes/no screening questionnaire detected clinically important physical dysfunction with moderate accuracy, but low willingness to participate in rehabilitation was a major barrier.
• PTOTRCT2023The effect of myofascial release in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema: a cross-over randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineAdding myofascial release to standard decongestive therapy reduced arm pain and improved shoulder movement more than placebo touch, but it did not shrink arm volume any more than placebo. Since both groups received decongestive therapy, the volume reduction cannot be credited to the release alone.
• PTSurvey2023Prevalence and Predictors of Ambulatory Care Physicians' Documentation of Mobility Limitations in Older Adults.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMobility limitations were documented in only 2% of ambulatory visits by adults 65 and older. Documentation was more likely in patients over 85, with arthritis or cerebrovascular disease, or when physical therapy, home health, or equipment was ordered.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Screening and Assessment of Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Clinical Practice Guideline for Health Care Providers.Physical therapyScreening for cancer-related fatigue is inconsistent. The EORTC-QLQ-C30 is the only Grade A screening tool. For assessment, use the Piper Fatigue Scale-Revised, FACIT-F, or PROMIS Fatigue Short Forms. Choose tools based on the patient's stage of survivorship and language needs.
• PTOTOther2022The Role of Exercise Self-Efficacy in Exercise Participation Among Women With Persistent Fatigue After Breast Cancer: A Mixed-Methods Study.Physical therapyFor breast cancer survivors with persistent fatigue, low confidence in their ability to exercise predicts less actual exercise. Survivors with higher confidence viewed exercise as a fatigue management tool and had strong support systems, while those with lower confidence felt unsupported and struggled with commitment.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2022Speech and Swallowing Outcomes Following Surgical Resection with Immediate Free Tissue Transfer Reconstruction for Advanced Osteoradionecrosis of the Mandible Following Radiation Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer.DysphagiaIn ten patients with severe jaw bone death, surgery and reconstruction left swallowing and speech outcomes split. Half kept or improved their diet, while half declined. Most speech stayed stable, but two patients became less understandable. Expect mixed functional results.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Sociocultural variables have a major impact on participation in patients treated for paediatric posterior fossa tumours.Child: care, health and developmentChildren treated for posterior fossa tumours face high rates of school and social difficulties. These barriers were linked to a cumulative load of risk factors, including maternal education level, lack of regular physical activity, and treatment side effects like cerebellar mutism.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Patient-Reported Outcomes After Swallowing (SWOARs)-Sparing IMRT in Head and Neck Cancers: Primary Results from a Prospective Study Endorsed by the Head and Neck Study Group (HNSG) of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO).DysphagiaPatients with head and neck cancer who had poor swallowing before treatment reported better quality of life after chemoradiotherapy. Those with good swallowing before treatment reported worse swallowing afterwards. Overall scores stayed similar because these two groups moved in opposite directions.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Age-related High-frequency Hearing Loss Is Not Associated With Horizontal Semicircular Canal Function.Ear and hearingHigh-frequency hearing loss did not predict horizontal semicircular canal function in adults aged 24 to 85. Hearing declined with age, but vestibular responses on caloric and vHIT testing did not. Do not assume age-related hearing loss implies horizontal canal dysfunction.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Effect of Postoperative Oral Intake Status on Sarcopenia Six Months After Esophageal Cancer Surgery.DysphagiaEsophageal cancer patients who needed tube feeding at discharge were more likely to develop sarcopenia six months after surgery. Low preoperative BMI and weak handgrip strength also predicted muscle loss. Clinicians should prioritize nutritional support and strength monitoring for these high-risk groups.
• PTNarrative Review2023Assisted reproductive technology: Short- and long-term outcomes.Developmental medicine and child neurologyMultiple embryo transfer and preterm birth carry the clearest neurodevelopmental risk in ART-conceived children, not ART alone. Neurodevelopmental outcomes are mostly reassuring.
• PTProtocol2022Exercise interventions used along the continuum of cancer care: A scoping review protocol.The South African journal of physiotherapyThis paper describes the plan for a future review of exercise interventions in cancer care. It contains no results, no patient data, and no findings to act on.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Affective Symptoms and Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.DysphagiaOropharyngeal dysphagia and anxiety or depression frequently occur together in head-and-neck cancer survivors. However, the review could not determine if swallowing problems cause distress or vice versa, nor how strong the link is.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023A Prospective, Longitudinal and Exploratory Study of Head and Neck Lymphoedema and Dysphagia Following Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer.DysphagiaHead and neck lymphoedema persists in all patients one year after chemoradiotherapy, though it shifts from external to internal. Higher severity and more widespread internal swelling are strongly linked to worse swallowing safety, diet restrictions, and patient-reported difficulty eating solids.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Postural alterations in breast cancer survivors: proposal of the PABS evaluation protocol based on a systematic review.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineBreast cancer survivors consistently show worsened posture and balance after treatment, but current research uses such different measurement tools that results cannot be compared. The authors propose a standardized assessment protocol to fix this, though no specific rehabilitation technique has been proven superior to others.
• PTOther2023Personalized Injury Reduction Strategies in Sports Medicine: Lessons Learned from Advances in Breast Cancer Treatment: A Clinical Commentary.International journal of sports physical therapyNo patient outcomes or tested intervention results are reported. The paper proposes borrowing breast cancer risk assessment ideas for baseball injury management, but there is nothing to act on.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Participation, challenges and needs in children with down syndrome during cancer treatment at hospital: a qualitative study of parents' experiences.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesParents of children with Down syndrome and leukemia acted as essential interpreters for their children's symptoms, which were often hidden by behavioral changes or silence. Clinicians should rely on parental expertise to detect pain and distress, ensuring children are prepared for procedures to maintain trust.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023Everyday life during the childhood cancer trajectory-childhood cancer survivors' descriptions of the role of caring support.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChildhood cancer survivors rated emotional presence as the most significant aspect of care. Older survivors valued this more. Men and those treated with radiation reported lower confidence in their ability to cope. This highlights the need for tailored long-term psychosocial support.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Lifetime Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Adolescents with Unexplained Weight Loss, Underweight, or Poor Appetite.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPAdolescents presenting with unexplained weight loss, underweight, or poor appetite had a 69.6% lifetime prevalence of any psychiatric disorder and a 21.3% prevalence of eating disorders. These symptoms should trigger comprehensive mental health screening and close follow-up, not just nutritional intervention.
• PTOTOther2023Telehealth Delivery of Evidence-Based Intervention Within Older Adult Populations: A Scoping Review.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthTelehealth delivery of evidence-based occupational therapy for older adults is feasible and often preferred by clients, but it does not consistently outperform in-person care. Success depends on adapting activities for the screen and ensuring clients have reliable technology access and support.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2023Causes of death among people with myelomeningocele: A multi-institutional 47-year retrospective study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineIn 293 deaths among people with myelomeningocele, shunted patients most often died of neurological causes while unshunted patients died of pulmonary causes. Infection was the leading mechanism overall, but a quarter of deaths had unknown causes, limiting clear prevention targets.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Utilization and Cost of Outpatient Rehabilitation Services for Pediatric Patients Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Using a Commercial Claims Database.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationOutpatient PT and OT use in pediatric ALL rose to 54% by 2013-2017, and first visits came earlier, but SLP use stayed low. Access was uneven, with patients outside the Midwest less likely to receive rehab.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Establishing General Working Population Norms for the Cognitive Symptom Checklist-Work.Journal of occupational rehabilitationWorking adults in the Netherlands reported an average score of 25.1 on a 0-100 scale for work-related cognitive symptoms. Scores were stable across age groups except for the youngest adults, who reported more symptoms. These norms help therapists judge if a cancer survivor's self-reported cognitive complaints are unusual.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Nutrition-associated health levels in persons with cancer: item response modelling based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineA 32-item scale based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health accurately reflects nutrition-associated health levels in cancer inpatients. It correlates strongly with established nutritional assessments and identifies specific functioning deficits to guide rehabilitation.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023Virtual Reality for Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Comprehensive Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesThis review of 32 studies suggests virtual reality can help with breathing exercises for anxiety and lung conditions. Most participants reported feeling more relaxed and better able to control their breathing. However, the studies were small, short-term, and mixed healthy people with patients, so this is not proof that VR works as a standalone treatment.
• PTOTCase Report2024Oculomotor screening and neuro-visual rehabilitation following pediatric brain tumor resection.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineA neuro-visual rehabilitation program using prescribed glasses with tint and prism, eye exercises, and follow-up reduced a visual symptom score from 41 to 29 with normal below 16 after brain tumor surgery in one boy. This is one case, not proof it works.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Systematization of rehabilitation interventions for neuro-oncological patients using international classification of health interventions: a scoping review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineBrain tumour rehabilitation papers named 47 interventions, but broad labels such as physiotherapy and speech therapy were too general to code. Ask which specific tasks and targets were used, because the review did not show whether any intervention improves function.
• PTOTCohort2024Assessment of Mobility Trajectories Using Wearable Inertial Sensors During Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplant.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPretransplant gait limitation measured by wearable sensors was linked to worse post-transplant function by clinician and patient report. During hospitalization, mobility fell early, then improved slowly but remained below pretransplant levels at discharge.
• PTOTCohort2024Decreased Bed Mobility Function Is Associated With Postdischarge Mortality for Cancer Patients in Inpatient Rehabilitation.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationCancer patients who leave rehab with low bed mobility scores or little improvement are three times more likely to die within six months. This simple bedside measure predicts mortality better than admission scores and works independently of overall physical function.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024REhabilitation Approaches in CHildren with cerebellar mutism syndrome (REACH): An international cross-disciplinary survey study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineMost therapists treating children with cerebellar mutism syndrome lack specific clinical guidelines and rely on symptom-based approaches borrowed from other conditions. They report significant barriers including fatigue, behavioral impacts of cancer therapy, and insufficient resources for training and standardized care.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2024Steroid myopathy and rehabilitation in patients with cancer.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationNo guidelines exist for diagnosing or treating steroid myopathy in cancer patients. Reviews suggest minimizing steroid doses and using resistance training to prevent muscle loss, but high-intensity exercise may worsen atrophy. Evidence for dietary or pharmacological interventions remains limited.
• PTOTSLPPilot2023Nonlinear, Multicomponent Physical Exercise With Heart Rate Variability-Guided Prescription in Women With Breast Cancer During Treatment: Feasibility and Preliminary Results (ATOPE Study).Physical therapyHeart-rate-guided exercise was feasible and safe for women with breast cancer during treatment. Retention was 73.68%, slightly below the 75% threshold. While radiotherapy patients improved walking distance, chemotherapy patients lost lower limb strength and gained body fat, suggesting the program needs adjustment for this group.
• PTNarrative Review2023Academy of Plant-based Physical Therapy: overdue to address a nutrition crisis with a transformative population approach.Journal of physical therapy scienceNo original study results are reported. This paper proposes a plant-based physical therapy specialty.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Conservative non-pharmacological treatments for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathies in women treated for breast cancer: a systematic review.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineNon-drug treatments for chemotherapy nerve damage in breast cancer survivors showed mixed evidence. Some trials of acupuncture, exercise, cryotherapy and yoga reported improvements, but other trials did not show improvement, and the review could not support a standard recommendation.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Longitudinal Analysis of Dysphagia and Factors Related to Postoperative Pneumonia in Patients Undergoing Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer.DysphagiaAfter esophagectomy, pharyngeal residue and vocal fold immobility worsened, with residue linked to pneumonia. Hyoid movement and vocal fold issues persisted at three months, though all patients returned to a full diet and no aspiration occurred.
• PTSurvey2023Physiotherapy practice in lymphoedema in South Africa: A survey.The South African journal of physiotherapyMost surveyed physiotherapists in South Africa could identify lymphoedema, but only 49.7% knew how to treat it and 31% offered complete decongestive therapy. Referrals were low, and this treatment was uncommon.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Bachmann-Bupp syndrome and treatment.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn the first patient with Bachmann-Bupp syndrome, DFMO treatment led to hair regrowth within two months. By four months, the child began sitting unassisted and self-feeding. Follicular cysts stopped recurring in two treated patients. This is single-case evidence, not proof of efficacy.
• PTCohort2023Addition of the nutrition factor enhances the cancer prehabilitation program design for colorectal cancer patients: a multi-center cohort study.Journal of physical therapy scienceBefore colorectal surgery, higher serum albumin was linked to lower postoperative inflammation and shorter stay, while higher vitality was linked to shorter stay. No prehabilitation program was tested, so these are associations.
• PTOTPilot2024Promoting positive physical activity behaviours in children undergoing acute cancer treatment: feasibility of the CanMOVE intervention.Brazilian journal of physical therapyFamilies and staff found CanMOVE acceptable and feasible during acute paediatric cancer treatment. Recruitment was 96%, retention was 95%, no serious adverse events were reported, and average daily steps rose by 2980. Without a control group, this step increase cannot prove the program caused it.
• PTCohort2024The association between objectively measured preoperative light-intensity physical activity and postoperative ambulation in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.Journal of physical therapy scienceMore preoperative light activity was linked to walking 150 m without help sooner after gastrointestinal cancer surgery, even when age, preoperative walking distance, and depression were considered. This is an association, not proof that adding light activity helps.
• PTNarrative Review2024Manual therapy and exercise effects on inflammatory cytokines: a narrative overview.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesRegular moderate exercise may lower pro-inflammatory cytokines, while acute intense exercise may raise them. Manual therapy evidence is too mixed and sparse to show a consistent cytokine effect.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Risk factors and hearing outcomes in infants and young children in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsRecurrent ear infections and HIV were the most common risks in this South African cohort, appearing in 43% and 16% of files. The standard US screening list missed these local drivers, meaning risk checks must be adapted to the region to catch preventable hearing loss.
• PTOTCohort2024Predictors of increasing disability in activities of daily living among people with advanced respiratory disease: a multi-site prospective cohort study, England UK.Disability and rehabilitationMobility limitation predicts worsening ability to manage daily tasks like shopping and cooking in people with advanced respiratory disease. However, it does not predict decline in basic self-care tasks. Screen for mobility issues to identify patients who may need preventative rehabilitation.
• PTOTNarrative Review2024The role of exercise in aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationFor breast cancer patients with aromatase inhibitor joint pain, combined aerobic and resistance exercise over many months had the strongest support to reduce pain and improve function. Yoga and tai chi were feasible, but evidence is smaller.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Research Letter: Relationship of Blood Biomarkers of Inflammation With Acute Concussion Symptoms and Recovery in the CARE Consortium.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationBlood inflammation markers did not predict how long concussion recovery took. However, higher levels of one marker (IL-1RA) in the first two days were linked to more depression and somatic symptoms, particularly in male athletes.
• PTCohort2024Predictors of a Preference for Telemedicine Virtual Visits in Patients Undergoing Cancer Rehabilitation.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationPatients closer to the cancer center, those with solid tumors, and non-White patients preferred virtual visits. Age showed a small association in raw data but not after adjusting for other factors. Offering both virtual and in-person options best served this population.
• PTOTSurvey2024Barriers to and enablers of physical activity participation in lung cancer survivors.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMost lung cancer survivors in this survey did not meet exercise guidelines, citing fatigue and breathlessness as main barriers. Despite this, 63% were interested in community exercise programs, preferring walking and exercising alone. Higher income and self-efficacy were linked to more activity.
• PTOTCohort2024Telemedicine impact on patient disparities and physician practice patterns in cancer rehabilitation: A multicenter retrospective study.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationTelemedicine visits resulted in fewer referrals for physical and occupational therapy than in-person visits. Prescribing medications was equally likely in both settings. Older patients and those identifying as Black or White were less likely to receive telemedicine care.
• PTOTCohort2024Associations Between Rehabilitation Utilization and Out-of-Pocket Costs Among Older Adults With Breast Cancer in the United States.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationOlder breast cancer survivors who used rehab in the first year had higher average out-of-pocket costs than those who did not. However, they had lower median costs and less spending on hospital stays and equipment. The overall difference was too small to be clinically meaningful.